HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope has returned home from his 140-mile charity trek in Nicaragua.

Greg, who personally raised just under £5,000 from sponsorship, also visited hospitals, prisons and schools with colleague Peter Kilfoyle before leaving the impoverished Central Amercian country.

He said: "In a prison I saw horrific conditions. It was really appalling, I've been to Guantanamo Bay and this was so much worse. There were at least 30 men to a cell."

During meetings with Nicaraguan politicians, Greg raised the issue and said he hoped that some changes would be made.

He went on to visit a hospital children's ward and noticed that the poor-quality windows were allowing mosquitoes to get in.

Greg persuaded a local businessman to pay for the renovation of these.

He said: "We're so glad that our trip has made a difference, and we've been able to do some good."

Some of the donated money will be used by the Peace and Hope Trust to create a play area at the same hospital, while additional funds will go to help enterprise projects in rural areas.

During the trek Greg and his five travelling companions had to endure very tough conditions, once even passing a live volcano.

The money raised by all members of the team totals an impressive £30,000 and will be split between the British Heart Foundation and the Peace and Hope Trust which works with some of the most impoverished people in the Americas.

Greg said: "The Nicaraguan people met us with absolute kindness and generosity. The trip was so worthwhile, even though it was very tough at times. It was hard but at no point did I feel like giving up.

"The heat was one of the worst things, temperatures were often over 40 degrees.

""When we reached the coast we all jumped in the sea!"

He added: "I would really like to thank all the local people for digging deep and supporting a really good cause."